The Canada Post strike is raising concerns about the future of the service, with Prime Minister Mark Carney warning that the corporation is in deep financial trouble.
Carney called the postal service “part of our country” and “part of our fabric,” but said its finances are unsustainable while speaking to reporters in London over the weekend.
“A company is not viable … if it has cost $5 billion over the course of the last decade [and] if it’s losing $10 million a day, which is what Canada Post currently is doing,” Carney said.
He pointed to the Kaplan report, a government‑commissioned review of Canada Post, as a starting point for reforms.
Carney said the government has directed the corporation to proceed with the changes, but additional steps will be required.
He added that the responsibility lies with the government, the corporation and the union to ensure Canadians can continue to rely on the postal service.
Canada Post has stated that mail and parcel delivery will not be processed during the strike, although socio-economic cheques will continue to be delivered.